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Intramuros ay [(Latin) intra: within; muros:walls]. The popular name given to the walled city of Spanish Manila.
The name “Manila” (it is claimed) derives from nilad, a type of mangrove that bore white waxy flowers (Ixora).

Sabi ka ni Adriaan Kortlandt “Once I saw a chimpanzee gaze at a particularly beautiful sunset for a full 15 minutes, watching the changing colors [and then] retire to the forest without picking a pawpaw for supper.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

The fault in our nation: All of us seems to have notions as to what and why our nation is this. Some say we have incompetent leaders and flawed systems. We always have people complaining and bickering about the way things go in our country but that’s about it. We bicker. And that’s the only thing we do.

Mind you, I, too, love to voice my concerns.

But it pains me to no end that we people stop then and there.

Hot and Cold

People usually act only when it’s “in.” When the rest of the people think that its a hot topic, they ride the bandwagon and start supporting causes. But when the hype is over, the lights are out and the fanfare has gone silent the whole arena filled with protesting crowds suddenly becomes a ghost town overnight.

Like, poof! And everything’s gone. People only show their support when the issue is the talk of the town. Take for example the Pork Barrel campaigns where the people defiantly flaunted their banners and shirts, flags and chants — it was incredible. Everyone was there! In that moment it seemed the people were finally wide awake and concerned about what is going on in this country. After the Million People March, and some random protests, everything went cold.

The problem remains, the fervor to have it resolved is gone.

Three fingers pointing back

As anyone would point out, if you point a finger at someone to accuse, beware, for you are also pointing three fingers at yourself. And I think this applies perfectly for us. We always try to call out how this and that have failed and that this and that should be working on this and that certain people should come out and lead the people into making the country into a better place.

We make demands. But are we ready to act ourselves?

The problem with us is that we sometimes fail to see that we should start by acting ourselves. We can’t expect change to be brought out by a few men in office. And, while we’re at it calling the people in the government incompetent, who were the people that voted them in in the first place?

We forget that sometimes ‘cause the problems ourselves. It’s odd how people who demand that the government must implement acts for cleaning the city while they go on with their reckless and destructive attitudes, throwing trash where it shouldn’t go.

Are we really becoming a nation that talks endlessly but acts worthlessly?

Supremo

There was a time when the people actually acted towards a common goal. It’s the 150th anniversary of the birth of the man who founded the movement that made this country the first democratic country in Asia. Maybe we should act like the people he influenced during those turbulent times.

In those times, the people were taught by the Katipunan that while they are at war they shouldn’t lose their values. Andres Bonifacio and the rest of the founding men of the Katipunan strictly enforced rules and guidelines that state that everyone must be made equal and that people must respect their brothers and sisters. The people were united, but they never lost their ideals.

Maybe that’s what we need; we need to love his country as much as he did, as much as our forefathers did, as much as our heroes did. Bonifacio, so idealistic was he as he tried to free our country, named himself Maypagasa (Hopeful) in those times when freedom was nothing more than a far-fetched dream.

They loved their country so much, valued it so highly that they wanted to improve it and lift it from its unfortunate state. We need to bring this back: Stop pointing fingers, stand united and call for real change. We need to love our motherland, and maybe in that love we might find a desire that would blaze us awake and push us onwards towards a brighter future for our nation.

Ang kwento nito about two wily theatrical producers who cook up a scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, homosexual stereotypes, and Nazis, along with many show business in-jokes. It is a satirical comedy that is deep enough for both insiders and outsiders of the theatre industry.

“Yapak Mo Yakap Ko” was coined by Atty. Charlton Jules Romero, Chairperson of Mass Communication of St. Scholastica’s College- Manila. The first Yapak Mo Yakap Ko Benefit Concert was held in St. Scholastica’s College- Manila headed by the Communication Society’s Outreach Liaison Officer, Joanna Armenta who is now the current Program Officer of CSR World of BCYF.

Tell me about yourself that people don't know:
I love to cook. Any filipino food and invented food.

What is your current state of mind before we continue with the interview?
Normal??? Hahahaha!!!!

When did you first know you wanted to become an stage actor?
Way back when i was in high school umaarte na ako pero that was part extra curricular activities para tumaas ang grades ko. Nang college naman wala lang sumali lang ako sa isang organization para lang masabi na may org ako. Hindi pa ako decided wheater to continue this passion or not until makapasok ako sa Tanghalang Pilipino.

What was the first show you ever did? And hows the experience?
First show in highschool? New yorker in tondo i played totoy college? Kumbensyon ng mga halimaw i played batibat professional theater is Rmeo loves dwehliet in TP i played benvolio when im doing a show i always try to experience the experience of human behaviors wala naman kasing magkaparehas na performance.

What has been your favorite role so far?Top 3 pls.
Pogi resurrecion in Doc resurrecion gagamutin ang bayan.
mitch in flores para los muertos
and shylock in merchant of venice.

Have you ever played someone of the opposite gender? (If not do you want to try it?) What was that like?
Not totally opposite, but i played didi a gay parlorista in zsazsa zaturnah. it is challenging because in real life im not gay, and paano siya hindi ma-Giging caricature.

What show/shows are you currently working on?
Sandosenang sapatos

Have you ever forgotten your lines, or a prop, or choreography during a performance? What happened?
There is this one incident in Ibalong the musical were because im so into the Character of aswang i forget the lyrics, kesa naman mataranta ako e di naghummmm nalang ako. Hahaha...

What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor?
MAGBASA!!!!. Hindi kasi talaga ako mahilig magbasa but now im on a process of reading books and any literature.

Besides acting, what other training have you had (voice, dance, stage combat, etc.)?
I dance, sing, and some martial arts.

What is the most rewarding part of stage actor?
Mapalakpakan ka, nakuha ng mga manunuod ang mensahe ng dula.

What are the pros and cons of being a actor? Please be specific.Pros
You can experience different human emotions! Malaya ka, malawak,Cons
Wala ka na time sa lovelife ,wala ka na time sa sarili mo at pamilya mo. Di ka na nakakapunta sa ibang family gathering in short wala kang time.

What goal are you working towards within your career and when will you know you have reached it?
Kapag nakapag lead na ako sa season offers ng TP, at kapag may acting award na ako.

What organizations do you belong to?
TANGHALANG PILIPINO ACTORS COMPANY

If you weren't a stage actor or an artist, what would you want to be? Why?
Maybe a chef. I love cooking.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you do?
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. TOTOO PROMISE!!!

As the whole nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of its National Hero, Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2013, Tanghalang Pilipino in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and National Historical Commission of the Philippines proudly present a New Filipino Opera in two acts based on the libretto of National Artist for Literature, Virgilio Almario and set to music by leading Asian contemporary composer, Josefino Chino Toledo.

Entitled San Andres B, it is not a historical account based purely on Andres Bonifacio’s life and the events leading to the 1896 Revolution. The opera is about awakenings… a coming of age in our quest for a collective national consciousness. Andres Bonifacio as the embodiment and representation of this Filipino consciousness became the driving force behind this quest to free the nation from all sorts of bondage – colonial rule, abject poverty and ignorance. In this pioneering work, we give importance to his contributions toward nationhood, a process not exclusive to the Philippine Revolution of 1896. It is reimagining Andres Bonifacio as a true hero of equal or even greater stature than Jose Rizal, a daunting task given the cultural conditioning by which we have all been accustomed to.

Director Floy Quintos briefing for the San Andres B (Opera)

Nevertheless, this opera will put your senses on overdrive as it was meant to be. Rich musical textures and riveting lines, it is thought-provoking and relentlessly uncompromising. The text and music are complementary, creatively and expertly staged by Director Floy Quintos using simple and symbolic images to drive home the point. It is a lean cast, composed of lead actors, chorus and dancers, all coming together to bring to life this monumental work – a groundbreaking task in Philippine classical music and a true reflection of Andres Bonifacio’s re-imagined identity.
The music encapsulates life itself. Sometimes comical, sometimes harsh, other times comfortable, mostly engaging you personally in whatever capacity. It is the kind of work that you will either love or hate, but one thing is for sure, you will never leave the theater without an opinion, and a strong one at that. The text is written in metaphors – radical, intriguing, constantly challenging one’s sense of love for country. It taunts you to look inwardly and then begin the process of outward transformation.

The casts and National Artist for Literature Mr. Virgilio Almario (wearing the pink polo).

This opera is not for the weak in spirit. This is for the brave Filipino who is ready to confront the harsh realities of life and stare at the face of danger without fear of getting knocked down. It is uncomfortable at times, emotionally exhausting, mentally draining, forcing us to look at the dark side of our beings, confronting the evils of society and emerging triumphant despite the numerous challenges.
The cast features some of the most outstanding contemporary classical singer in the country, led by Dondi Ong as Andres Bonifacio, and Margarita Roco as Gregoria de Jesus. Completing the main ensemble is Antonio Ferrer as Emilio Jacinto and Marvin Gayramon as Jose Rizal. The supporting chorus is composed of AUIT chamber ensemble members as well as actors from Tanghalang Pilipino and dancers from Ballet Philippines. Directed by well respected and multi-awarded Filipino playwright Floy Quintos, this production will be unlike no other as it breaks new territory in the realm of contemporary Filipino operas.
Accompanying this stellar cast is GRUPO 20/21, a newly formed modular chamber music ensemble dedicated primarily to the performance of varied 20th and 21st century music of Filipino and Asian music artists and composers. San Andres B is GRUPO 20/21’s initial project.

Tell me about yourself that people don't know:
I sound arrogant, I won’t contradict that. Lol. That could be a defensive mechanism…but those who know me well says I’m the friendliest person around. 

How did you get started in photography? and what camera did you use?
I was a writer of UST’s publication when I found my Dad’s Canon T60 lying around the house. I tried out for a slot (2000) when we went short of photographers covering news functions, art exhibits, sports events and it all started then. Shoots, film developing and photo printing in the darkroom were part of the experience. The Canon T60 was with me through it all, it’s still alive and is 22-years-old now.

How would you characterize the style of your photography?
I’m more of a shoot at the moment type and would identify myself mostly as a mamarazzi and I sneak around people’s back to take a shot. ^_^ I dig minimalism a lot too.

Who or what influenced you to become a photographer?
My editors back then and an artist friend, who is now a famous director, talked me into photography. My kids and the ever-supportive husband push me to do better.

How did you become a photographer? And when did your career start as a professional photographer?
I’m no professional photographer but photography is the one thing that I know and do well. It’s fulfilling if you get compensated for doing something you truly love. You know it’s true what they say, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Why did you make photography your career?
Again, it’s the one thing I know and do well but no, it’s not really my career…yet. 

How did you go about selling your first photograph?
Back in the days, I get a monthly salary from the University publication but the first photo I sold is that of my kids to a parenting magazine. I would then take shots related to the articles for the magazine.

What makes a good photographer in your opinion?
Photographers vary widely and depending on the genre…what makes a good wedding photographer is different from what makes a good sports photographer. Though good photographers make use of light – both natural and artificial – to their advantage. They manipulate light to make the most stunning photographs.

Do You Have A Favorite Walk Around Lens...If yes, what is it?
Canon 50 mm. I don’t use flash much and I love the nifty-fifty for being a fast lens that can shoot well even in the dark.

Which one item or equipment would you say is the most important to you?
One lang? :D For the 7d, I’m good with the 50mm lens; for the 5d, I’m good with the 17-55mm lens.

What is the most rewarding part of photography?
Aside from the comments uploaded photos get, it’s the private messages sent by those who saw my photos asking for advice on what camera to buy or how to get better with photography. It’s like they were inspired to venture into photography and they trust my experience and judgment when it comes to choosing gears.

What is your most embarrassing experience as a photographer?
It was when I was a participant in a photo contest and at a Matinee where the guests were Austria’s president, Vienna’s mayor and colleagues...I ran out of batteries. :/ I had to run to the nearest shop to buy new ones…

How did photography change your life?
I always look for the beauty of a scene, whether when I wake up and I look out of the window, when I’m just walking in the streets or when I am goofing off with my son…I aim to capture a part of reality through a photo.

I know you have been working with some of the famous and influential people in the country but may I ask whom do you wish/dream to work with. And why?
No, not really. The most famous I might have worked with is…my husband. Kidding!

Not really to work with but I would love to meet Terry Richardson and ask him how he does it with a point and shoot. I would also love to meet Hiroshi Sugimoto, the guy’s simply awesome!

What tips can you give to someone aspiring to be a professional photographer?
There are many photographers already ahead of you but if you feel that you have the “eye” then don’t let my previous statement destroy your urge to learn and just do it.

What are the best tools for a beginner to learn on (besides the camera)?
Aside from the basic rules of photography (is this a tool? lol), which you can bend after adhering to them…develop your eye and learn the etiquette that entails a photographer.

Here some of the photos of Gizelle Marie

Flower Shop, Vienna

Pantheon, Rome

Chain Bridge, Budapes

Piazza Michelangelo, Florence

Big Ferris Wheel, Vienna

What are the pros and cons of being a photographer? Please be specific.Pro: As a blogger, you get good photos to post along with your articles. As a mom, you get to capture precious moments of your kids and they can be sure that their entire childhood is covered…

Con: I call the gears neck-breakers and shoulder-breakers. :/

I know you like traveling for shoot or even for chill-out, can you tell me where is the best place to be to do some shoot? and why there?
Personally, I find the most picturesque corner when I (or hubby and I) get lost in the streets of an unfamiliar city. But the view from atop a mountain, tower or a castle is priceless too…especially in spring when the colors of nature is most intense. Dawn or daybreak also makes for stunning photos.

What goal are you working towards your photography and when will you know you have reached it?
If my photos get published, a coffee table book would be nice.

If you weren't a photographer or a multimedia artist, what would you want to be? Why?
An author. Writing is my first love, photography was accidental.

How do you see yourself 20 or 30 yrs from now?
Hmm…Photography-related, I might still be clicking the shutter button by then.

What Kind of Legacy Do You Want to Leave?
I want my kids to remember me as the “mom who was always there to capture our memories”...I would be happy when one day they’d be grateful that they don’t only remember those precious childhood moments just like that, I have proofs of those pieces of reality for them via my photographs.

Any final message? Its your time to shine..
Photography is wonderful and it’s meant to be shared to others. You’re taking a chunk of reality and through your photos, you write your own history. It is always best to develop your eye, practice and stick with the rules before bending them. You and your camera/s (and lenses too) works together, none of you is better than the other….Natural light is always the best, but a reflector won’t hurt either.